Free-range eggs are currently unavailable in the UK following the country’s largest ever outbreak of avian influenza.
Birds are being kept indoors with strict biosecurity measures in place. More than 100 cases have been confirmed since November, according to Defra.
A 16-week grace period allowing egg farmers to maintain their free-range status ended on Monday (March 21st). This means eggs must be labelled as ‘barn eggs’.
Signs should be put in restaurants and shops to notify consumers of the changes. Footprint understands that Trading Standards will not expect menus to be reprinted but signage will need to be in place to inform customers of the current situation.
“We cannot guarantee that some customers will not still complain, however as long as steps are being taken to ensure that customers are made aware of the situation there is little more that can be done without significant inconvenience and cost to the restaurant,” read an email from Trading Standards.
McDonald’s, which uses only free-range eggs, said all of its restaurants have been sent posters to explain to diners that, in accordance with government guidelines, all eggs are laid by hens temporarily housed in barns. “We have also temporarily removed all references to free-range across our digital channels and advertising,” said a spokeswoman.
Eggs can still be labelled or signposted as RSPCA Assured – which approximately 97% of UK eggs are – as the scheme also has indoor barn standards.
The UK Health Security Agency has confirmed that the risk to public health is very low, while the Food Standards Agency has said that bird flu poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers, and it does not affect the consumption of poultry or eggs.
